Lady Midnight by Amanda Mccabe Read Free Book Online Page A

mischievous glint in his gaze. She had seen such glints before, and it made her feel like she was back on a surer footing.
    His smile widened, as if encouraged by her laughter. "Also, madam, there is your accent. Most assuredly not of a Yorkshire bent."
    "I do not have very much of an accent, sir," Kate protested. "I was told that I speak English very well."
    "It is charming," he said assuringly. "And really hardly noticeable. It is just that I once traveled a great deal, and spent time in Italy." His smile turned wry at the edges, almost self-mocking. "In what seems like a million years ago."
    "Yes," Kate murmured. "I know what it's like to remember previous lives."
    One light brown brow arched inquiringly. "Do you? A previous life left behind in your homeland?"
    Kate deeply hoped so. "Of course," she said, forcing a careless little laugh. "It seems Italy is another world. A faraway star. Or maybe it was just a dream."
    "And speaking of Italy..." His voice trailed away as he paused, his smile fading. "I am ridiculously stupid."
    "Sir?" Kate asked, surprised by this sudden turn in the conversation.
    "Forgive me. Would you happen to be Mrs. Brown? I doubt any other Italian ladies would be running about the Yorkshire countryside." His expression turned apologetic, as if he was chagrined at what he called his stupidity. "I fear we did not expect you until tomorrow."
    Expect her? Kate stepped back from him, away from his warmth. Could this man be—was he her employer?
    Of course he was. Who else could he be? She had been faintly hoping that Mr. Lindley would prove to be old and plain, set in his ways, easy to disregard. Instead, he was an angel-god, well named for Michael the archangel.
    San Marco. But this was not good.
    "I—why, yes. I am Mrs. Kate Brown," she said, her throat dry and the words cracking.
    "I should have introduced myself immediately. I am Mr. Michael Lindley, of course. I believe you are to be our new governess." His smile, she fancied, was now not nearly so flirtatious. It was much more careful, more polite. He stepped back a bit, to a respectable distance.
    As she should be, at all times.
    She nervously touched her numb lips with the tip of her tongue, and said, "You are Mr. Lindley."
    His gaze flickered over her mouth, then shot away from her past her shoulder to some point in the scenery. So she was not completely alone in her strange, dizzy attraction—much good it could do her, since she was his respectable employee. Things must remain on a professional footing here in gray Yorkshire.
    "Indeed I am," he said quietly. Regretfully?
    Kate took in a deep breath, trying to find the same sweet calm she had felt earlier when she was all alone in wild nature. "Well, then. How do you do, Mr. Lindley?" She remembered all her careful lessons in proper deportment, and dropped him a small, graceful curtsy. "I daresay I should have arrived tomorrow, with all the obstacles I have faced today."
    He glanced toward the listing post chaise, his jaw tightening. "Yes. That demmed driver. His employer will be notified of this outrage immediately. The man will never leave a defenseless lady alone on the moor again!"
    "He said he would be back in 'two shakes of a lamb's tail,' however long that might be," Kate said, absurdly pleased by his protective words. "I'm not sure how long it takes a lamb to shake its tail. But really, I was only here alone for a few moments when you came along so providentially."
    "It is a fine thing I came along, Mrs. Brown, for it looks as if it may rain later. May I escort you to Thorn Hill? I know that my mother and sister are very eager to meet you."
    He offered his arm to her. The gesture, and his words and tone, were all so perfectly, painfully polite. They were meant to make things more comfortable, of course, more proper. But Kate could not quite stop the small pang deep in her most secret heart. A pang of regret for the pirate, buried now beneath the country gentleman.
    Or maybe for the